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NEW YORK (AFX) - An authorized edition of the much-anticipated "Iraq Study Group Report" will be published next Wednesday by Random House, Inc., the same day President Bush and congressional leaders are to receive the bipartisan committee's recommendations.
"We're thrilled to be publishing such a landmark report and will produce it with record speed to be sure it's available to readers on the day that it makes news," Anne Messitte, executive vice president and publisher of Vintage Books, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Vintage, a paperback imprint of Random House, will publish "The Iraq Study Group Report: The Way Forward -- A New Approach" at a suggested retail price of $10.95. A print run has not been determined.
Led by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III, a Republican, and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., the 10-member panel is expected to offer suggestions on troop levels in Iraq, whether to negotiate with Syria and Iran and other issues involving the three-year-old war.
Government documents aren't known for their commercial or literary appeal, but two years ago W.W. Norton's official version of "The 9-11 Commission Report" sold more than 1 million copies -- even though the text could be downloaded for free -- and received a National Book Award nomination.
"I think interest in the Iraq report depends on what's in it," said Barbara Meade, co-owner of Politics & Prose, an independent bookstore based in Washington, D.C. "I think it will sell better if there's some dividing up of the blame for how we got into this in the first place, instead of just having scenarios for improving the situation."
Vintage spokesman Russell Perreault said the publisher had not seen the report and would not comment.
The arrangement with Norton also received some criticism, with questions raised over why one publisher was favored over another, how much Norton paid for the rights (nothing) and what Norton would do with the proceeds. A "very substantial contribution" to three 9/11-related charities was made, according to Norton president Drake McFeeley.
Messitte declined comment on financial details, but said the Iraq committee solicited proposals from several publishers, with an emphasis on cost, security and getting copies produced quickly. Vintage will receive the report Friday, spend the weekend editing and then printing it, and start shipping to stores early next week.
Messitte said that a portion of the proceeds, still to be determined, will be donated to a charity for those in the military and their families. Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
Copyright 2006 AFX News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
